The Chain - Softcover

Page, Robert W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0965386996 ISBN 13: 9780965386999

Publisher: Castle Pacific Publishing, 2002

Synopsis

In the tradition of works by authors such as Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum, The Chain is a fast-paced thriller that takes the reader through a world of high stakes corporate espionage, international intrigue, and romance set among the colorful backdrops of Central America and the Middle East.

About this title

About the Author

Robert Page’s many-faceted career gives him the background that enables him to manipulate his cast of characters with skill, realism, and first-hand insight. Mr. Page has held numerous high-level positions in the private sector, civil service, and military. He has served as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Chairman of the Panama Canal Commission , and President and CEO of the MW Kellogg Company and the George Fuller Company. He has also held senior executive positions with Rockefeller Family and Associates, Bechtel, ARAMCO, and McDermott International. Mr. Page served in the Navy during World War II and in covert assignments in Central America. He was also a member of President Reagan’s Export Council and President Bush’s Policy Council. He taught engineering at American University in Beirut in the early 1950s and currently teaches at American University in Washington, DC and at MIT.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The map was enormous, large enough to cover the entire surface of the conference table in the main meeting hall of the Government Atomic Mission (GAM). Colonel General Georgi Nikolayevich Gordov, director of the commission in charge of coordinating a nuclear disarmament treaty between the former Soviet Union and the United States, pulled himself to his feet to get a better view. His eyes slowly roamed the map from republic to republic, pausing at each of the color-coded clusters that indicated the types of nuclear missiles and materials housed at that location. When Gordov’s eyes had traveled the length and breadth of the entire country, his expression slowly changed into one of awe, like that of a child gazing at the toy of his dreams. He caressed each location on the map, delighting in the vastness and the thoroughness of the detailing. There had never been a map as all-inclusive as this one, the final product of years of hard work.

The two nuclear scientists sitting across the conference table from the general, who at the moment appeared as exhausted as he was euphoric, had done all necessary intelligence gathering. It was Gordov, however, who had the most to gain from their efforts.

"What happens now?" one of the scientists asked, taking off his glasses and rubbing his eyes. "Surely we do not intend to simply give this information away to the Americans."

"That is not for us to decide," General Gordov replied, beckoning for the men to help him fold the map. "Our job was merely to compile the information, and we have done that." The general gently folded the map along its previous creases and placed it into his briefcase.

"Thank you," he said, bowing his head in the direction of the two scientists as he snapped the briefcase shut. "I thank you, and the president thanks you for the research and hard work it has taken to perform this task. You are the only two people we could call on, the only two people who had the connections and knowledge to compile such data accurately."

On Kiev’s Karpov Boulevard outside the commission’s entrance, Gordov signaled for the limousine that had been waiting to take the three men back to their hotel. The vehicle pulled forward, its headlights turning on. Gordov waited as his comrades climbed into the back seat but shook his head when it was his turn. "No, I think I will walk back instead." He inhaled deeply. "A little fresh air will do me good, clear my head."

"You have in your hands the fruits of our arduous labor," one of the scientists shouted, pointing to Gordov’s briefcase. "Take good care of that prized possession!"

"You can be sure I will." General Gordov bowed formally and shut the limousine door. He counted silently to himself as the limousine pulled away from the curb, then looked up expectantly. The explosion was accompanied by a blinding flash of light that turned night into day.

"That prized possession is my prized possession now," he whispered, gazing down at his briefcase. "And yes, my comrades, you can be sure I will take very good care of it."

Edition details

• Publisher: Castle Pacific Publishing
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0965386996
• ISBN 13: 9780965386999
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 247